Ashraful determined to lose inconsistency tag

Ashraful has been one of the major successes for his country during the two-month tour of England, particularly in the NatWest Series with a hundred in the shock win over Australia at Cardiff and two other half-centuries.

He first burst on to the scene four years ago and holds the record for being the youngest player to score a Test century - against Sri Lanka when he was 17.

But a failure to produce his best on a regular basis has frustrated Whatmore and now Ashraful is hoping he can finally add in that key quality.

He said: "I was not happy with the Test series against England but I've been happy to come back in the one-dayers and score runs again.

"I had the thinking before that I could score a hundred in every innings, so my thinking was not mature - but I am more mature now. I know I can't get a hundred every game but I can continue my form.

"I am more mature now in my thinking and batting. I want to continue being consistent in the next series. I think I can do that against Sri Lanka in our next series.

"If I do that, then I hopefully will have got rid of the inconsistency tag. I don't just want to have scored runs in this series in England. I want to be a success all the time."

Ashraful believes Bangladesh can take plenty of positives from this tour despite managing just the one win against the Australians.

He said: "I feel Bangladesh can become an even better side. In two or three years we can challenge anyone. At the moment we get a good start to the innings and don't always catch up in the middle or late order.

"I think this can happen. If we can score runs all the time, then we can challenge anyone.

"To beat Australia gave us a big lift. Before that we were not in good form but after that match everyone was changed mentally. It gave us our self belief."

Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar believes that several of his squad are capable of making an impact in county cricket if they are given the opportunity.

He said: "I don't know if they are going to get any offers but I think Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriah Nafees and Aftab Ahmed are capable of playing at that level.

"I'd be very happy if they get offers and the chance to play in the county games. I hope that the counties have been looking at some of our players."